The great white shark is a much-feared, streamlined swimmer and a predator with 3,000 teeth at any one time. The great white shark has a torpedo-shaped body, a pointed snout, a crescent-shaped tail, 5 gill slits, no fin spines, and 3 main fins: the dorsal fin, on its back and 2 pectoral fins, one on each side. Great whites average 12-16 feet long. Females are larger than males, as with most sharks. When the shark is near the surface, the dorsal fin and part of the tail are visible above the water. Only the underbelly of the great white shark is actually white; its top surface is gray to blue gray.
Young great white sharks eat fish, rays, and other sharks. Adults eat larger animals, including sea lions and seals, small toothed whales, like belugas, otters, and sea turtles. Great whites do not chew their food. Their teeth rip prey into mouth-sized pieces which are swallowed whole.
The great white shark has a torpedo-shaped body, a pointed snout, a crescent-shaped tail, 5 gill slits, no fin spines, and 3 main fins: the dorsal fin, on its back and 2 pectoral fins, one on each side. Great whites average 12-16 feet long. Females are larger than males, as with most sharks. When the shark is near the surface, the dorsal fin and part of the tail are visible above the water. Only the underbelly of the great white shark is actually white; its top surface is gray to blue gray.
Young great white sharks eat fish, rays, and other sharks. Adults eat larger animals, including sea lions and seals, small toothed whales, like belugas, otters, and sea turtles.
Great whites do not chew their food. Their teeth rip prey into mouth-sized pieces which are swallowed whole.